Hanging bridge at leaning temple in Huma proposed to attract tourists

SAMBALPUR: In a bid to attract more tourists to the leaning temple of Lord Shiva at Huma, located on the banks of river Mahanadi, the district administration has submitted a proposal for a hanging bridge to facilitate movement of visitors from the temple to an island in river Mahanadi.

The proposal of the hanging bridge to be constructed at an estimated cost of `2 crore has been submitted to the State Government. If the proposal is approved, the bridge would connect Huma temple with Kanherkud, an island in the Mahanadi. Kanherkud is also a tourist destination which houses the temple of Goddess Kali.

Now, the tourists visiting Huma temple board country boats at Machhindra Ghat to go to Kanherkud which is named after Kudo fish. A large number of Kudo found in the island is a major attraction.

It takes about 15 minutes to reach Kanherkud by boat. After the hanging bridge is constructed, tourists can easily go there walking on the bridge.

Lord Bimaleswar is being worshiped in the leaning temple, which is located at village Huma, about 23 kms away from Sambalpur town. The temple was constructed by Chauhan ruler King Baliar Singh, the fifth king of Sambalpur from 1545 AD to 1560 AD. Though the reason of tilting of the temple is yet to be confirmed, more than two lakh tourists including foreigners visit it every year.

When contacted, District Tourist Officer Rabindra Dalei said the proposal will be approved by the State Government shortly. While there is large tourist flow to the destination, the bridge will attract more tourists to the temple and other tourist destinations. The area is being developed with all season road, while parking and lighting facilities have already been developed at the temple, he added.